Hello & Welcome to Le Voov!

I created Le Voov! as an outlet to share my various interests and adventures in nutrition, cooking, healthy longevity, fitness, travel, family (including the fur-people!), gardening, and fun! My approach is a playful blend of simple, common sense mixed with the latest nutritional information to provide you with a balanced understanding of living the Voovacious lifestyle.

I have immense appreciation for a back-to-basics approach in life. I keep most of my dietary focus on utilizing seasonal and organic ingredients, accessing my local farmer’s markets as much as possible. The idea of eating clean, unprocessed food that is low in sugar and refined starches makes good sense to me. My philosophy is to enjoy colorful, nutritious food as often as possible, which occasionally involves indulging in the glories of decadence in moderate proportions.Read more

This is one of my favorite go-to recipes. I marinate the fish and make the edamame/wasabi spread a day in advance to let the flavors mingle and get friendly with each other. This wonderfully fresh appetizer can be served over sesame crackers, fried wontons, cucumber slices or tucked into endive leaves. You can also make a perfect meal by serving the marinated sashimi over a bed of mâche (lamb’s lettuce) leaves and frisée lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces, accompanied by a few slices of avocado.

The classic mojito came to us courtesy of Havana, Cuba. Now that the U.S and Cuba are on friendlier terms, perhaps we’ll need to take a Le Voov! adventure to visit our neighbors 90-miles off the Florida Keys….. Stay tuned!

My Grandmother was always in the kitchen cooking up something wonderful. As I recall, even the couch in her house smelled like a perfectly pleasant blend of fresh-baked cookies and thick-cut bacon. (I know that sounds weird, but it was absolutely the bees-knees as a kid!)

Several decades ago I began exploring the art of infusing various fruit and herbal mixtures with spirits. It started innocently enough with a simple curiosity to find a way to blend the medicinal anti-inflammatory qualities of the ginger root with the anti-oxidants in wild berries. Wah-lah, the Raspberry Ginger Snap was born!

Meyer Lemon Picatta is exquisitely divine and easy to prepare. The light, rich sweetness of the lemon sauce in juxtaposition to the salty capers and deep tones of white sage, make this a Splendiferous ‘comfort meal’ to be shared with friends and family. Serve it with fresh pasta, herb-roasted potatoes or lemon-rice pilaf, accompanied by steamed asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts or try our Rainbow Carrots, Haricot Verts & Caramelized Shallots.

When most people see an artichoke for the first time, they are reminded of the giant man-eating plant ‘Audrey’ from Little Shop of Horrors. Artichokes have thorns that look like dangerous claws on the end of each fibrous leaf. Encountering them for the first time may be a little intimidating, bringing about a cautious apprehension present when attempting to break up a cat fight while naked. It is neither obvious nor intuitive how to approach eating an artichoke for the first-timer. However, if you are fortunate enough to live in an area where artichokes grow, and you are in-the-know on just how to prepare and eat them, they are truly a glorious delight.

Over the last few years, the classic deli sandwich has been through a major overhaul as we strive to create nutritious yet satisfying ways to reinvent this American staple. At the store, as I read the labels on many of these common household condiments, meats and breads, I quickly discovered a plethora of hidden sugars, salt, nitrates, antibiotics and even growth hormones. Bad, bad, 1000 times BAD!

My journey began with the basics, finding reliable sources for high quality bread, cheese and meat. Once I found a healthy source for these, I decided to explore my choices for delicious condiments and greens to create a sandwich that was truly Voovacious!

We are blessed to have not one, but two Meyer lemon trees in our yard. As the days grow shorter in late autumn, the yellow orbs begin to deepen in color and look like bright seasonal ornaments stealthfully hiding among the deep green foliage. With the passing of each winter day, the lemons grow sweeter, and knowing this makes me feel warm right down to my toes.

One of my very favorite morning meals is the Nut-Butter Berry Banana Smoothie. (Oh behave yourselves naughty monkeys…!) I refer to this smoothie as ‘B3Z’ (pronounced bee-3-zeeeeh!) since this name includes the word ‘Bee’, and I just love, love, love bees!!! So, I prefer to call it B3Z!

With the heat of summer creeping in, I enjoy chilling down after my workout with a fruity, refreshing smoothie. The papaya, mango, banana and lime all contain phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. This smoothie is packed with vitamins A, B’s and C, which are great for clearing free radicals and lactic acid out of the muscles after a workout. The cucumber, aloe and coconut water have needed electorates and aid in a healthy digestive track. With all these vitamin-packed ingredients blended together, you get a high fiber, anti-inflammatory, immuno-boosting smoothie that will make you feel like a million bucks!

Bee Calm & Buzz On… 🐝🐝🐝
Bees, as well as other pollinators (bats, hummingbirds, butterflies/moths, etc.) are in serious peril these days as a result of the many compounding issues challenging their survival. Every year, we bolster our garden with pollinating, nectar-rich plants to ensure our local pollinators remain fortified, fat and happy! (Honestly, there is nothing better than smiling little bees with their legs fat with pollen, buzzing about the yard in bliss!) 🐝🐝🐝

Nothing screams autumn on the west coast like fresh, succulent Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister). Bay Area crab-lovers eagerly await the opening of the season every November. Unfortunately, this year, the state Department of Public Health has issued restrictions due to a toxin known as domoic acid, which can cause everything from mild gastrointestinal illness to death in severe cases.

Sadly, humans are not the only ones affected by this neurotoxin. Hundreds of marine mammals and birds have been sickened and died due to the unusually high levels of the toxic acid occurring off the coast this year.

When most people see an artichoke for the first time, they are reminded of the giant man-eating plant ‘Audrey’ from Little Shop of Horrors. Artichokes have thorns that look like dangerous claws on the end of each fibrous leaf. Encountering them for the first time may be a little intimidating, bringing about a cautious apprehension present when attempting to break up a cat fight while naked. It is neither obvious nor intuitive how to approach eating an artichoke for the first-timer. However, if you are fortunate enough to live in an area where artichokes grow, and you are in-the-know on just how to prepare and eat them, they are truly a glorious delight.

We stumbled across this tapas restaurant in the Mission District of San Francisco. We weren’t even thinking about lunch, but the rich, earthy aroma coming from the kitchen lured us in like moths to the flame. The colorful, art-filled walls and the bustling atmosphere contributed greatly to the lively tenor. Our waiter Jose gave us a few thoughtful suggestions.

After our wonderful tasting experience at Prager Winery & Port Works, we stopped into Dean & Deluca for a bit of epicurean perusing. Dean & DeLuca is a chain of fabulous gourmet grocery stores for foodies. The first store was established in New York City in September 1977, in the SoHo district, a rather upscale area in lower Manhattan.

Known for it’s unique selection of meats, cheese, freshly baked bread, and of course, the vast array of gourmet chocolate truffles, this is the perfect place to pick up all the fixins for a decadent picnic in between visiting wineries.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse just south of the charming & quaint coastal town of Pescadero, California

There truly is nothing better than a perfect sunset on the Pacific Ocean…

I took this photo as we meandered north along the edge of the North American Continent after the Capitola Art & Wine Festival. Pigeon Point Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States. Built in 1871, this white masonry tower stands at 115-ft. (35 m), and is recognized as one of the most picturesque lighthouses on the Pacific Coast.

This marvelous restaurant is one of my new favorite East Bay restaurants, Michelin recommended, and a prime example of 5-star dining. Under the guidance of owner Rodney Worth and his wife Natalie, the menu is dynamic, the food is unique in flavor, the ambience is lovely, and the service is impeccable.

A true Danville gem, this restaurant is quaintly hidden in a small plaza, so you may drive right past it without even noticing it. If you access the rear parking lot, it is quite easy to find.

¿Cómo se llama Mr. Llama? I had a wonderful conversation with a lovely llama at Harley’s Goat Farm in the charming coastal town of Pescadero recently. After swapping stories and goat jokes with this wooly sentry, Brian and I had the pleasure of attending a 6-course farm dinner in the loft of the old barn on the property. The fresh, delicious cuisine, the ambiance of candlelight, and meeting new friends, all made this an exceptional experience! 🐐🍷🎑

Giants Game! I took this photo while attending a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park during my birthday week. It was an exciting, close game against the Pirates. As you can see from the photo, it was a glorious day in the city. What a perfect way to celebrate my special week! Go Giants!!! 🎈 ⚾️ 🎉

About

Le Voov! represents my passion for life. I believe clean air, purified water, sunshine, fresh flowers, wine, garlic, music, and laughter with family and friends all nourish the soul. Creating and enjoying delicious, healthy meals with those I love brings me an immense amount of happiness. Good nutrition is at the core of my belief that with a strong foundation of health and wellness, one can achieve anything they desire in life. As my wise sensei always said; "One cannot project what is not collected…"

Restaurant Review

At Le Voov! we celebrate the fresh, wholesome, healthy cuisine made available to us by the many talented chefs in restaurants around the globe. In blending our appreciation for quality food, with our adventurous spirit to explore a variety of cultures through our curious palate, we seek out the spices, flavors and culinary traditions from every corner of this little blue planet.

If you know of an extraordinary restaurant you would like us to review, please access our contact information and share your secret spot. Thank you in advance!

Product Review

At Le Voov! we appreciate the value of efficient, high-quality products for the home. Over the years, friends and family have asked me to make a list of my favorite gadgets, tools, gifts and books for the home and the garden.

Guess Where I Am…?

From time to time, I post a photo of some magical place on the planet we’ve visited recently with the question ‘Guess Where I Am…?’ I'll provide the location and information pertaining to the photo. If you are so observant and well traveled as to get many of the answers correct, you can be assured you are living the Voovacious Lifestyle!

Otter-Pop’s K-9 Social Club

Otter-Pop came to us via a serendipitous blend of pure tenacity, luck, late-night hot-flashes, and the grace of PetFinder.com.

We enjoy exploring local dog-friendly trails & beaches, dog parks, K-9 accommodating restaurants, etc. If you know of a secret, voovacious!, super-duper-favorite, happy dog place, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line so we can share your wisdom with others!

Le Voov! Movies

We have always enjoyed an eclectic array of cinematic adventures in our movie choices! When I was in college, I developed a movie rating system involving a cow named ‘Bessie’. Bessie would become bipedal and applaud if she liked the film, sit in her movie chair with her legs crossed if she was bored, or leave a simple, steaming pile of poop if she thought the movie was below her very high, bovine standards. Perhaps in time I will resurrect the image of dear Bessie the cow, but for now, here is a smattering of some truly amazing movies I’ve enjoyed over the years. If you wish to share a voovacious cinematic title or two with us, please feel free to Contact us. Enjoy!

Cre-8 / DIY

At Le Voov! we love creating fun, whimsical decorations for the home and garden, taking on huge landscaping feats and finding ways to reuse/repurpose items of yesteryear. Here we will share with you the step-by-step instructions about how to construct all sorts of strange, imaginative, crafty items. We’re so pleased to have you along for the ride. Get ready, set, let’s gooo…! :)